Indigenous Care, Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility/Global Health Committee (IIDEA)

Co-Chairs: Amanda Khan and Jessica Chan

• Terms of Reference

  Mandate

  The Indigenous Care, Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility/Global Health Committee (IDEAS) Committee is a standing committee of the Canadian Association of Radiation Oncology (CARO). This committee's mission is to nurture a supportive environment and culture within the Canadian Radiation Oncology community and the field of radiation oncology in Canada and globally where diversity, inclusion, equity, and gender issues are championed, and where barriers to equitable cancer care are transcended whether they be domestic or international in nature.

  • Indigenous Care
    Refers to cancer care delivered to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis patients and families as well as participations of these communities in areas of policy, teaching, planning and delivery of the care.

  • Inclusivity
    Inclusion is an active, intentional, and continuous process to address inequities and build a respectful and diverse community that ensures welcoming spaces and opportunities to flourish for all.

  • Diversity
    Differences in the lived experiences and perspectives of people that may include race, ethnicity, colour, ancestry, place of origin, political belief, religion, marital status, family status, physical disability, mental disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, class, and/or socio-economic situations.

  • Equity
    Equity refers to achieving parity in policy, process, and outcomes for historically and/or currently underrepresented and/or marginalized people and groups while accounting for diversity. It considers power, access, opportunities, treatment, impacts, and outcomes.

  • Accessibility/Global Health
    Refers to health initiatives that transcend boundaries and barriers - whether geographic, socioeconomic, cultural, or political - with the goal of achieving equity in health outcomes for all populations, and improving accessibility to underserved communities both within Canada and internationally.

  Objectives

  • Foster a safe and inclusive working environment in cancer centres and radiation oncology training programs across Canada via needs assessments, diversity training, and promoting the integration of equity, diversity, and inclusion education initiatives.

  • Promote gender equality and equity within the Canadian radiation oncology community and support mentorship of women in their training or at various levels in their careers.

  • In collaboration with key external partners, develop and contribute to professional standards to foster health equity-oriented cancer care, including optimizing access to care and enabling trauma-informed and culturally safe care for all populations.

  • Cultivate and perform scholarly activities related to equity, diversity, inclusivity, indigenous care, and global health relevant to the field of radiation oncology or the Canadian radiation oncology community.

  • Administer scholarship programs that support radiation oncology residents and fellows in pursuing international electives and global health experiences that advance equity-focused cancer care.

  • Promote accessibility, capacity building, and knowledge exchange within and beyond the Canadian radiation oncology community to advance global cancer control initiatives

  Membership
  This committee will consist of CARO members who are in good standing and is open to all interested trainees and faculty.

  Term of Office
  The term of the Committee members is three (3) years and all members are eligible to renew their membership once. The term of the Chair will be three (3) years and is renewable once.

  Reporting Relationships
  The Committee will report activities to the CARO Board annually. By invitation, the Committee may be requested to present a report of committee initiatives to CARO members at large at the Annual General Meeting.

  Liaisons
  This Committee may liaise with other CARO committees, whenever appropriate, and has the option to liaise or partner with indigenous leaders and other Canadian or International stakeholders championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and gender issues from constituent universities, professional societies, or organizations. The Committee may also establish relationships with international radiation oncology organizations, global health agencies, and cancer control initiatives to advance collaborative efforts in global cancer care.

  Meetings
  The Committee will meet at the call of the Chair, at least twice per year, and conduct email correspondences, teleconferences, video conferences, and/or in-person meetings at the discretion of the Chair. Meeting quorum shall be a majority of the members then in office.

  Financial Arrangements
  No Committee member shall be renumerated for being or acting as a committee member or Chair. CARO will provide support towards committee meetings held at the CARO Annual Scientific Meeting or to CARO representatives travelling on approved business that is not otherwise supported.

  By-Laws
  The Committee is governed by the CARO bylaws.